2008 Anthony Road, Finger Lakes, Semi-Dry Riesling ($15.99 Bremerâ€™s Utica). Alcohol level: 12.6%. This was the Governorâ€™s Cup winner in 2009, and we were lucky enough to pick up four of them at Bremerâ€™s on our last trip to Utica last October.

There was some dissent about this choice for the cup, but Iâ€™m here to say that it is the best North American Riesling we have ever enjoyed. We popped the second one last night and it was even better than the first. There is fresh fruit of all sorts exploding all over your mouth, with able acid and just the right amount of sweetness to envelope whatever you are dinning with it.

We enjoyed it with extra thick pork chops liberally sprinkled with Penseysâ€™ Pork Chop Seasoning, and heaps of our special succotash. It was just a great Saturday night.